Lubrication system for sleeve valve engines



Nov. 29, 1932. w. s. FISHER 1,888,971

LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR SLEEVE VALVE ENGINES Filed May 7, 1928 IN VEN TOR. Mu. ff 5. E5115)? BY A W 3 MM v NW2: .3. 1. 98 ATTORNEK Patented Nov. 29, 1932 uurrao STATES WALTER S. FISHER,

PATENT OFFICE OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE WILLYS-OVERLAND COMPANY,

OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR SLEEVE VALVE ENGINES Application filed May 7, 1928. Serial No. 275,628.

My invention relates to the lubrication system of sleeve valve engines and it is particularly related to engines of the Knight class wherein a cylinder, head and a pair of telescoping sleeves are disposed to form a sleeve chamber.

One object of my invention is to simplify the lubrication system which is now commonly employed for the sleeves.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the cost of installing suitable lubricating means in engines of the above noted class and also to insure adequate lubrication of the sleeves and piston without incurring the disadvantages of over-lubrication.

An additional object of the invention resides in the provision of a lubrication system in which the pressure which normally exists in the sleeve chamber is reduced without removing any oil from the zone where it is needed.

It is a further object of the invention to improve the lubrication of the upper portion of the sleeves, by reducing the normal 5 operative pressure within the sleeve chamber without extracting any lubricant directly therefrom.

The invention likewise contemplates a sleeve structure by which one is enabled to 3. localize and conserve the suction applied to sleeves of the engine and also remove surplus oil from the piston by means of the same source of suction. These, together with other objects will become apparent from a consideration of the drawing and the descriptions hereinafter, setting forth a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Figure I is an elevation View in section of a Knight engine, embodying the principles 40. of my invention; and

Fig. 11 is the elevational view of the intake port side of the inner sleeve.

The structure illustrated includes the major elements of a Knight engine, consising of a cylinder block 10, provided with exhaust and intake ports 11 and 12 respectively, said block-being supported by a crank case 13 wherein are rotatively mounted a crank shaft 14 and cam shaft 15. The cam shaft actuates inner and outer sleeves 17 and 18 respectively through conventional connecting rods 19. Within the inner sleeve is a piston 20 whichreciprocates therein and is similarly connected to the crank shaft through a conventional connecting rod 21.

A cylinder head which is projected downwardly within the inner sleeve is bolted to the block and is cooperatively disposed with respect to the sleeves and block to form a sleeve chamber 23.

An oil trap 26, connected and operated from the intake manifold suction through a tube 27, is secured in a suitable manner adj acent the cylinder block 10 and is in communication with the surface of the outer sleeve through an oil suction tube 28 and bus-bar 29 disposed below the intake port 12 and connected to the sleeves through a hole 30 formed in the cylinder. Oil withdrawn from the engine is collected in the trap 26 and is discharged periodically to the crankcase 13 through a discharge tube 31. The mechanism by which the function of the trap is effectuated is well known to those skilled in the art and requires no detailed descrip tion.

In certain respects the sleeves are of conventional design. Thus, for example, the outer sleeve includes a plurality of transverse oil distributing grooves 32 below the ports therein. It differs, however, in that it is provided with a slot 33 which is co-operative with respect to the cylinder hole 30 and is adapted to communicate the suction to the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve likewise includes transverse oil distributing grooves 34 but in addition is provided with a longitudinal groove 35 having an aperture 36 which communicates the suction to the piston during a portion of its reciprocatory movement as shown by its dotted line position in Fig. 1, and functions to withdraw excess oil that is accumulated on the piston. The longitudinal groove traverses the two upper transverse grooves and is brought into communication with the upper extremity of the sleeve by means of two inclined grooves 37 that extend from the upper extremity of the sleeve to the first transverse groove. It is to be noted that the suction which is so communicated to the sleeve chamber reduces the normally operated pressure in the said chamber, thereby reducing the opposition to the upward movement of oil along the surface of the sleeve. In order to localize the effect of the suction and to preserve its ability to withdraw all the surplus oil on the piston the transverse grooves near the aperture 86 in the longitudinal groove have been blocked ofl.

If desired, the outer sleeve may likewise be provided with inclined grooves which extend from the upper extremity of the sleeve to the first transverse groove below the ports. Similarly, the slot 33 may be extended to include the uppermost transverse groove 32. It has been found, however, that the embodiment disclosed wherein the slot is not so extended gives satisfactory results.

The piston 20 is indicated in its uppermost position by the full lines and in its lowermost position by the broken lines. In its lower position it is communicatively disposed with respect to the trap 26 through hole 36. A groove 88 on the side of the piston extends from the lowermost piston ring 39 to within a short distance of the lower extremity of the piston and makes possible a suction communication throughout the greater part of the cycle.

It will be apparent that by practicing the present invention one is enabled to maintain a reduced pressure within the sleeve chamber Without introducing an auxiliary external bus-bar connection to the chamber. Furthermore, the combination disclosed prevents the abstraction of oil which makes its way to the sleeve chamber thereby removing it from its zone of usefulness. Any oil which is withdrawn by way of the grooves. is first afforded the opportunity'of being distributed over the surface of the sleeves before such oil can be withdrawn into the trap.

Although there is illustrated and described but asingle embodiment of my invention it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not so restricted but may be extended to include other embodiments without departing from its spirit and I desire, therefore, that it be limited only as required by the prior art and indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a sleeve valve internal combustion engine including a cylinder, a pair of concentric inner and outer sleeves fitted within said cylinder; said sleeves having ports therein; a cylinder head extending over the upper edges of said sleeves and downwardly therewithin to form a sealed chamber above said upper edges; a piston operating within said inner sleeve; means for lubricating the upper ends of said sleeves comprising a groove onv the surface of one of said sleeves extending from the upper end thereof to a point below said ports, said inner sleeve having a second vertically arranged groove in communica tion with said first groove; a slot in said outer sleeve; a groove in said piston; an opening in said inner sleeve adapted for intermittent communication with the groove in said piston; and. means for continuously applying suction adjacent the slot in said outer sleeve to maintain a reduced pressure in said sealed chamber and remove excess oil from the walls of said piston.-

2. In a sleeve valve internal combustion engine including a cylinder, a pair of concentric inner and outer sleeves fitted within said cylinder; said'sleeves having ports therein; a cylinder head extending over the upper edges of said sleeves and downwardly therewithin. to .form a sealed chamber above said upper edges; a piston operating within said inner sleeve; means for lubricating the upper ends of said sleeves comprising a groove on the surface of one of said sleeves extending from the upper end thereof to a point below said ports, said inner sleeve having a second vertically arranged groove in communication with said first groove; a slot in said outer sleeve; an elongated vertically positioned groove in said piston; an opening in said inner sleeve adapted for intermittent communication with the groove in said piston; and means for continuously applying.

suction adjacent the slot in said outer sleeve to maintain a reduced pressure in said sealed chamber and remove excess oil from the walls of said piston.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

WALTER S. FISHER.

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